2026 Program Guide | Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music

America was built on a dream. Throughout this country's history, many dreams were necessary to inspire us to create a better union. While we are still striving to define what our union is and where we align our personal values with the collective ones, dreams continue to be a catalyst for change. Not for their naive existence but for their hopeful promise. If we’ve learned anything from our past, let it be that those who dream have always helped us see the road to a better future. This season, we present a tapestry of voices celebrating, dissenting, acknowledging, and commenting on the American experience. After all, it is the most American thing we can do — to have an open dialogue without fear of retribution. Our voice can speak the truth and, in the music we make, we can hold up a mirror to the society around us. Joined by unique and extraordinary artists, these next few days, we promise to make all of us ponder, to challenge us to find hope, and common ground. I invite you to hear their artistry in speaking of their personal experiences, as our way of making music is from a place of honesty, love, vulnerability, and openness. You, our Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music family, are a significant presence in the way we are able to expand our creativity. It inspires us to make music worthy of the love and appreciation you have shown us year after year. In celebrating our country’s momentous anniversary, let us once more commit to higher values that promise to help us find a path forward. Let’s dream together and actualize our potential for change. 1 CABRILLO MUSIC.ORG Cristian Măcelaru Music Director & Conductor